The man charged with first-degree murder in the death of a Toronto police officer appeared in court virtually from a hospital bed on Wednesday. Nicholas Bennett, 19, is accused of shooting and killing Const. Marc Pinizzotto on June 12. Pinizzotto and members of the Toronto police service’s Emergency Task Force were executing a raid in North York related to several shootings in the city, including one at the U.S. Consulate in March, when the shooting occurred. Bennett was shot by police and was unconscious for a week following the encounter. He previously appeared in court by video from a bed at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto on June 19, when he was formally charged with first-degree murder. He gave the court a thumbs up when he was asked if he could hear and understand the proceedings. Bennett, dressed in an orange jail uniform, remained in his hospital bed during Wednesday’s court appearance. He did not speak or communicate during the brief video call. His matter has been adjourned until Sept. 16. Two other suspects, Zara Jabbi, 19, and Sheldon Tracy-Stewart, 18, were also charged in connection with the March 10 shooting at the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto. Police said they believe that shooting and others were carried out in a “gun-for-hire” scheme where young people are paid to shoot at various targets. Pinizzotto was an 18-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service. He was 43 years old.
